Description
Chief Building Official | City of Palm Bay, Florida
The City of Palm Bay, Florida, seeks an experienced, service-oriented, and technically strong Chief Building Official to lead its Building Department. Located on Florida’s Space Coast, Palm Bay is a growing city of nearly 160,000 residents and Brevard County’s largest municipality. This is an exceptional opportunity to lead a high-impact department that supports safe development, responsible growth, strong customer service, and the City’s continued momentum.
The Organization
The City operates under a council-manager form of government and has an FY2026 budget of approximately $521.3 million. The Building Department has an approximate $11.5 million budget and includes 39 full-time and two part-time positions supporting building inspection, plans examination, permitting, records, fiscal administration, customer service, and related operations.
The Position
Reporting to the City Manager or designee, the Chief Building Official serves as the City’s senior building official and is responsible for the planning, organization, direction, and administration of the Building Department. The Chief Building Official leads professional, technical, and administrative staff, ensuring that development-related services are delivered consistently, efficiently, and with a strong commitment to public safety and customer service.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead all Building Department functions, including plan review, permitting, inspections, code administration, records, customer service, fiscal administration, and staff development.
- Administer and enforce applicable state building codes, City ordinances, and minimum code requirements for new construction, remodeling, existing buildings, residential housing, and building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing systems.
- Provide leadership and accountability for inspectors, plans examiners, permit technicians, records staff, and administrative support personnel.
- Resolve complex technical, code-related, inspection, permitting, and customer-service issues in a timely, professional, and practical manner.
- Oversee departmental budgeting, fiscal controls, staffing, performance measures, and key performance indicators.
- Work effectively with contractors, builders, developers, architects, engineers, property owners, governmental agencies, City departments, and the public.
- Represent the Department before governmental agencies, professional organizations, community groups, contractors, design professionals, property owners, and the public.
- Support post-disaster Building Department coordination and emergency-response activities.
- Promote internal controls, fraud-risk awareness, public-resource stewardship, clear expectations, accountability, employee development, and continuous improvement.
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range is $111,867 to $184,581 annually. The anticipated starting salary is approximately $150,000, depending on qualifications and experience.
The City offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, life, disability, retirement, and deferred compensation options, an automobile allowance, 13 paid holidays, annual administrative leave, vacation and sick leave, and robust mental health resources.
Application Process
This position is open until filled. The first review of applications and resumes will occur after 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on July 27, 2026.
Interested candidates should apply through the City of Palm Bay’s official application portal. For questions, contact the City’s Human Resources Department at 321-952-3421, Laura.Clawson@palmbayfl.gov, or Alisha.Stroup@palmbayfl.gov.
For a detailed recruitment brochure, visit https://www.65thnorth.com/current-executive-recruitments
Requirements
Minimum Qualifications
Candidates must meet one of the following education and experience pathways:
Pathway One
Associate degree or higher from an accredited college or university in construction, engineering, architecture, or a closely related field, plus a minimum of 10 years of combined experience as an architect, engineer, plans examiner, building code inspector, registered or certified contractor, or construction superintendent.
Pathway Two
High school diploma or equivalent, plus a minimum of 12 years of combined experience as an architect, engineer, plans examiner, building code inspector, registered or certified contractor, or construction superintendent.
Additional Requirements
- At least five years of supervisory experience.
- At least one year of experience as a Building Official or Deputy Building Official.
- Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record.
- Must possess and maintain licenses in building code and plans disciplines, including a Building Code Administrator certification from the State of Florida.
Preferred Candidate Profile
The successful candidate will bring deep knowledge of Florida building codes, building administration, plan review, permitting, inspections, and code enforcement. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong understanding of building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing systems; experience leading a building department or major building-services function; and the ability to work effectively with contractors, developers, architects, engineers, inspectors, plans examiners, elected officials, City leadership, and the public.
The City seeks a collaborative, solution-focused leader with excellent judgment, strong technical credibility, and a consistent customer-service orientation. The successful candidate will be able to explain technical information clearly, make effective presentations, resolve complex issues fairly and practically, develop and retain staff, and lead the Department with professionalism, integrity, accountability, and a commitment to timely service delivery.
